Boring Exercise is Pointless

Photo by: Abraaj

Summer is well on its way, so let’s admit it, you wish you looked a tad better in the summer clothes than you do now. Or rather, that hottie you’ve been eyeing looks damn good in summer clothes and you’re feeling a bit insecure.

Your reaction? Start hitting the gym full speed. Hold on, there’s a problem: The gym can suck. If you have a consistent workout plan that you follow regularly, read no further, you’ve developed a great habit. But it seems to me that most people have no problem exercising, they just have a problem exercising consistently. And, unfortunately, “getting in shape” which is often soft-language for, “changing the shape of my body” (which I’ll argue, is a totally acceptable thought and not as vain as is commonly perceived), requires extremely consistent exercise. Do I need to back that point up? How many people do you know that have achieved enviable fitness goals by going every once in a while, or whenever they feel like it?

I contend that if you’re not exercising regularly, you’re bored.

Further, it seems to me that there’s no sense in invoking some idealized theory of willpower and trying to force yourself to do it. That often just leads to not going, and feeling like a loser. Forget that, if you’re bored there’s only one solution: get your little kid on and make it fun.

There’s really no sense in trying to explain fun exercise, everyone knows what that is: being dead tired but wishing you weren’t so you could keep playing just a little longer. I’ll admit, this most easily translates to cardio. But cardio is what most people hate to do but know they should; most folks lifting weights like to lift weights. Forget the treadmill that faces the wall, or sitting on a stationary bike at some slow or moderate pace and trying to read US magazine at the same time: are you really going to be able to sustain that for months? Or years?

For alternatives to treadmills, stationary bikes, the elliptical, the stairmaster, and all the the other cardio machines you may find boring or just can’t do consistently, try: sports (basketball, soccer, frisbee, tennis), running outside, running with a friend outside, setting a goal for an x mile run and working your way to it, finding cool trails and new places to run and hike on the weekends, spinning classes (these will kick your ass, but they sure as hell won’t be boring), biking outside on a real bike. Obviously the list goes on (Did I miss any great ideas for fun cardio?).

Now, there are some people that go to the gym, pick a machine, use it, and do this consistently, but they exercise so consistently that they have no need to click on this post title in their RSS feed. If that’s you, I’m impressed you’ve read this far. But for the rest of us that find staring at a wall and running in the same place more boring than hearing John McCain speak, try making it fun. I promise it’ll improve consistency.

How To Act Productive Tip #12: Switch Time-Management Systems

Photo by: Emotions Take Control of Me.

Here at Grad Hacker, we feel that simply being productive is not enough. What good is your inner, clandestine, productivity, if your bosses, colleagues, and you yourself don't really know the extent of just how unbelievably productive, busy, stressed, in a rush, and important you really are? For these, reasons, every once in a while we will provide you with a tip on how to act productive.

Let’s be honest, most people don’t have time management systems; even the characteristic productive folks highlighted in this series. They’re too busy losing sleep and getting pissed off. But, in the web 8.0, blogospheric community of which you are definitely a part, time management systems are the norm. They’re like iPods in middle school, you better have one if you want to be cool. And the flashier the iPod, the cooler you are.

You vs. Productive People

Now there’s a difference between those of us simpletons that have a single time-management system and the real productivity gurus. The latter are constantly on the hunt for the ultimate system. They know that the moment they find it, day to day problems will disappear and their level of productivity will skyrocket to levels unknown to mere mortals. So, they don’t stagnate, they switch systems like Paris Hilton does boyfriends.

Is it Time to Switch?

“How do I know if I need to switch systems or not?” you ask. If you haven’t switched in the last 2 weeks, it’s time to get cracking. Switching your list management, time management, GTD, or what have you systems regularly keeps you up to date on the latest web 8.0 sites and features, it keeps you buying the latest gadgets, and it increases the chances of you finding the perfect system.

Tell People About It

But don’t just quietly find a new system to manage your life, do it loudly. We always advocate this on How to Act Productive and it’s for good reason. Show your friends your new list management system. Often sending a mass email with a link to the new web-based system is a good idea. Tell them how much more productive you’ve been since switching. If they ask the annoying question of whether using the system takes more time than is saved by transferring your life to it, just tell them that it will pay itself back soon, otherwise you’ll just switch to another.

Don’t be a tool, use a tool.

How to Act Productive Tip #11: Feel Guilty

Photo by: s-t-r-a-n-g-e

Here at Grad Hacker, we feel that simply being productive is not enough. What good is your inner, clandestine, productivity, if your bosses, colleagues, and you yourself don't really know the extent of just how unbelievably productive, busy, stressed, in a rush, and important you really are? For these, reasons, every once in a while we will provide you with a tip on how to act productive.

Warning: This tip may hit close to home. You may walk slow, and eat a lot, but there's a good chance that you've felt some guilt before. I don't apologize for any hurt feelings.

Productive people feel guilty. A lot. About what? It doesn't even matter, they don't have time to think about stupid questions. When you have a lot things to do, there's inevitably a lot of things you wish you could do. But you can't. Because you're "just so busy right now." Result: guilt. A lot of it. This is the life of an important, busy, and thus productive person.

Productive people feel guilty about:

- Asking for an extension on assignments because the rest of their life is too busy.

- Assignments that they can finish on time but could have been done better.

- Neglecting their friends and family because they're just so busy.

- That long list of someday/maybe projects that they know they will never get around to.

- Not exercising.

- Skipping lunch and making up for it with Cheetos from the vending machine.

- Feeling guilty all the time.

If you haven't felt guilty in a while, chances are you're being lazy. Summer is not even an excuse. In fact, that's when you should look back on the semester of neglected "I should get around tos" and feel guilty about neglecting them. Then make a list of all those items and tell yourself you have to get them done. If you don't, don't worry, you can get your guilt on come fall.